Peaceful and reflective… that’s the best way for me to sum up the ANZAC Ceremony at Gallipoli.
We eventually arrived at the site at about 9 pm, found a seat and settled in for the long night. Thankfully, while it was cold, it wasn’t unbearable when you added a few layers and a space blanket. But again, it brought home the challenge that faced the first ANZACs.
Despite there being 16 000 people at the site, the night was incredibly still and eerily quiet. Throughout the night there were movies and documentaries that shed further light on the ANZACs and WWI to supplement performances by the ADF band, Gallipoli Choir (All Hallows & Gregory Terrace schools from Brisbane), and other performers. The standout was a performance by Lior accompanied by the Gallipoli Choir, a fiitting song that obvioulsy moved the audience.
The sky was clear so the stars were out… so strange to look at a night sky without the southern Cross. Again, I wonder how the troops coped with this in 1915? Such a basic comfort of an Australian home.
About an hour before dawn the birds started chirping. Quite eerie when iits so dark and quiet, but a lovely way to mark the coming dawn.
The service itself was like many Dawn Services, but listening to the Last Post looking over the waters of ANZAC cove, with the cliiffs behind and a line of ships (including Young Endeavour) in the distance, sailing in formation towards ANZAC Cove gave it new meaning.
The speech from the Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key, reminded us all that if it had been our country that had been invaded we would have reacted exactly as the Turks did.
After the service at Gallipoli we headed up to the commemoration at Lone Pine. This is a significant commemorative site for Australia as it marks the location of a key battle, and is the site where every Australian and New Zealand soldier that doesn’t have a known grave is remembered. The service here is much more personal and seemed more relaxed, with the opportunity for groups and individuals to lay wreaths and tributes to the service people.
The New Zealanders who are at the commemoration attended a service at Chunuk Bair, further along the ridge line. Both sites are high and have magnificent views across the peninsula – makes sense that these sites were critical to both sides.
We finally farewelled Emma at Lone Pine, along with Private Billy, who was in her care for the day. Emma’s roommate, Gemma, had the opportunity to lay the wreath at Lone Pine, which meant she met Prince Charles and Tony Abbott… I think Prince Harry would have been preferable! It was clear that the ANZAC Prize group are getting on well and having a great time together.
Royalty up the road, high security, 16 000 people, a 1 way road, and space for only 5 buses to stop at a time… no wonder we didn’t get on to our bus until 6:50pm! No one expected that we would be this late, so our tour company arranged for dinner at Gelibolu, where we were reunited with Alex. Lovely to see the town that lends its name to the Peninsula, but that the English couldn’t pronounce!
Long night, long day, long night… but so glad that we came, and a privilege to be a part of the 100th Anniversary.
Cheers, M & theBunch xxx
PS… This is the GFP you take when one of the ‘G’ is in the stands behind you… can you pick her in the distance? Good luck!
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